However, it is unclear if any have arrived because the rebuild is being held up by land assessments, waits for insurance payouts and aftershocks.

The Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild plan was adopted by the Christchurch City Council yesterday. It sets out how the city will fix its earthquake-damaged roads and underground services.

Jan Clark, Immigration NZ's operations support manager, said: "These people qualified for visas on the basis of skills shortages, including those in occupations on the Department of Labour's immediate and long-term skills shortage lists, particularly the specific Canterbury skills shortage list."

Since the February 22 disaster, about 6000 people have left Christchurch, contributing to a shortfall of skilled professionals.

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The Department of Labour, which oversees immigration, has also made changes to its long-term and immediate skills shortage list, adding five occupations and removing two.

Secondary school teachers and early childhood pre-primary school teachers are thought to be no longer in short supply, while agricultural scientists, social professionals, life scientists, biotechnologists and environmental research scientists have been added.

"The lists are central to ensuring that New Zealand's skill needs are met by facilitating the entry of appropriately skilled migrants to fill skill shortages and reducing the costs and time delays for employers seeking staff," said Ms Clark.

"Employers can still recruit migrants in occupations that have been removed from the list, but will need to demonstrate genuine attempts to recruit suitable New Zealand citizens or residents."

The agency has also approved a further 220 Silver Fern job search visas, on top of the 293 issued after the scheme's launch last year aimed at bringing highly skilled young people to New Zealand.

Ms Clark said 108 had arrived in the country.

The scheme aims to match young arrivals to the needs of the economy.

Under the policy, those between 20 and 35 have up to nine months to seek skilled employment, and will then be issued a further permit to stay for another two years while they apply for residence.

Of the first 293 Silver Fern visas issued, 23 of the successful applicants have gained residence under the skilled migrant category, 108 have moved to a different work visa and 80 have left the country.